Their Ties With the Apostle
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
Maana ninyi wenyewe, ndugu, mwakujua kuingia kwetu kwenu, ya kwamba hakukuwa bure;
2 but even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
lakini tukiisha kuteswa kwanza na kutendwa jeuri, kama mjuavyo, katika Filipi, twalithubutu katika Mungu kuinena Injili ya Mungu kwenu, kwa kuishindania sana.
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
Kwa maana maonyo yetu siyo ya ukosefu, wala ya uchafu, wala ya hila;
4 but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
bali kama vile tulivyopata kibali kwa Mungu tuwekewe amana Injili, ndivyo tunenavyo; si kama wapendezao wanadamu, bali wampendezao Mungu anayetupima mioyo yetu.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
Maana hatukuwa na maneno ya kujipendekeza wakati wo wote, kama mjuavyo, wala maneno ya juujuu ya kuficha choyo; Mungu ni shahidi.
6 nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
Hatukutafuta utukufu kwa wanadamu, wala kwenu, wala kwa wengine tulipokuwa tukiweza kuwalemea kama mitume wa Kristo;
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
bali tulikuwa wapole katikati yenu, kama vile mlezi awatunzavyo watoto wake mwenyewe.
8 so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
Vivyo hivyo nasi tukiwatumaini kwa upendo mwingi, tuliona furaha kuwapa, si Injili ya Mungu tu, bali na roho zetu pia, kwa sababu mmekuwa wapendwa wetu.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
Maana, ndugu, mnakumbuka taabu yetu na masumbufu yetu; kwa kuwa mchana na usiku tulifanya kazi tusije tukamlemea mtu wa kwenu awaye yote, tukawahubiri hivi Injili ya Mungu.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also , how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
Ninyi ni mashahidi, na Mungu pia, jinsi tulivyokaa kwenu ninyi mnaoamini, kwa utakatifu, na kwa haki, bila kulaumiwa;
11 as ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
vile vile, kama mjuavyo, jinsi tulivyomwonya kila mmoja wenu kama baba awaonyavyo watoto wake mwenyewe, tukiwatia moyo na kushuhudia;
12 that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
ili mwenende kama ilivyo wajibu wenu kwa Mungu, mwenye kuwaita ninyi ili mwingie katika ufalme wake na utukufu wake.
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Kwa sababu hiyo sisi nasi twamshukuru Mungu bila kukoma, kwa kuwa, mlipopata lile neno la ujumbe la Mungu mlilolisikia kwetu, mlilipokea si kama neno la wanadamu, bali kama neno la Mungu; na ndivyo lilivyo kweli kweli; litendalo kazi pia ndani yenu ninyi mnaoamini.
14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judæa are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
Maana ninyi, ndugu, mlikuwa wafuasi wa makanisa ya Mungu yaliyo katika Uyahudi, katika Kristo Yesu; kwa kuwa mlipata mateso yale yale kwa watu wa taifa lenu wenyewe, waliyoyapata na hao kwa Wayahudi;
15 who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
ambao walimwua Bwana Yesu, na hao manabii, na kutuudhi sisi; wala hawampendezi Mungu, wala hawapatani na watu wo wote;
16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
huku wakituzuia tusiseme na Mataifa wapate kuokolewa; ili watimize dhambi zao siku zote. Lakini hasira imewafikia hata mwisho.
17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
Lakini sisi, ndugu, tukiwa tumefarakana nanyi kwa kitambo, kwa uso si kwa moyo, tulizidi kutamani kwa shauku nyingi kuwaona nyuso zenu.
18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
Kwa hiyo tulitaka kuja kwenu, naam, mimi Paulo, mara ya kwanza, na mara ya pili, na Shetani akatuzuia.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
Maana tumaini letu, au furaha yetu, au taji ya kujionea fahari, ni nini? Je! Si ninyi, mbele za Bwana wetu Yesu, wakati wa kuja kwake?
20 For ye are our glory and joy.
Maana ninyi ndinyi utukufu wetu, na furaha yetu.
